Almost half the species of Splachnaceae possess three noteworthy ecological features. First, their gametophytes are coprophilous, growing on feces, occasionally old bones, and other animal matter. Second, their spores are commonly small and sticky, making them suitable for insect dispersal. Third, the sporophytes of all entomophilous Splachnaceae examined to date produce complex, species-specific odors that are thought to promote the attraction of flies (order Diptera).

Although the leaves of Splachnaceae are soft textured and similar in shape to those of Funariaceae, recent phylogenetic studies suggest that Splachnaceae are more closely related to Meesiaceae than to Funariales as previously proposed. Like many species of Meesiaceae, most Splachnaceae grow in moist habitats such as peatlands in temperate and boreal forests. Splachnaceae differ from Meesiaceae in the structure of the capsule, which in Splachnaceae is erect with a mitrate calyptra, whereas in Meesiaceae the capsule is curved with a cucullate calyptra (B. Goffinet et al. 2004).